Days after returning from a self-imposed exile, Pakistan People Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday announced he and Bilawal Bhutto will contest elections and be a part of "this Parliament".
"@BBhuttoZardari and me both will go in the present parliament", Former President @AAliZardari announces good news. #SalamBenazir
— Social Media PPP پی پی پی سوشل میڈیا (@SocialMediaPPP) December 27, 2016
Delving into details regarding his "surprise announcement", Zardari said he will contest elections from his sister's seat in Nawabshah whereas Bilawal will contest from his mother's seat in Larkana.
“We have given so many sacrifices for democracy and we will not spare this Mughal emperor [Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif],” the PPP co-chairman told a large number of party workers who had gathered to commemorate the 9th anniversary of Benazir Bhutto.
We will not spare you, Mughal Prince. vows @AAliZardari #SalamBenazir
— Social Media PPP پی پی پی سوشل میڈیا (@SocialMediaPPP) December 27, 2016
Protest is our democratic right and we would use our right and we would protest, if demands not met, says @AAliZardari #SalamBenazir
— Social Media PPP پی پی پی سوشل میڈیا (@SocialMediaPPP) December 27, 2016
Zardari’s ‘surprise’ vexes pundits
Firing a broadside at Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the former president said he was not afraid of courts and his party will face all cases against them. “We have fought against the country’s dictators but never raised voice against the army,” Zardari said as he took a jibe at the prime minister.
Addressing PM Nawaz, Zardari said: “I am not coming to the Parliament to topple your government.” He said his only intention was to teach the government a few lessons and to consult with the prime minister on national issues.
Later, while addressing the gathering Bilawal said he had earlier asked the government to fulfill his party’s four demands but the government did not pay heed to it.
Ideology, courage and victory of some people never dies: @BBhuttoZardari pays rich tribute to SMBB. #SalamBenazir @BakhtawarBZ @AseefaBZ
— Social Media PPP پی پی پی سوشل میڈیا (@SocialMediaPPP) December 27, 2016
The PPP chairman slammed Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan for meeting with people from proscribed organisations. “The interior minister is threatening people instead of resigning. Whole world wants to declare us a terrorist state and people in your cabinet facilitate terrorists,” he said.
The PPP’s four demands required the federal government to revive the national security committee of parliament; accept the bill presented by the PPP on the Panama Papers controversy in the National Assembly; implement the resolutions passed at the recent multiparty conference on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and appoint a full-time foreign minister immediately.
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